Material for the production of functional elements comprising at least one foamable area and use of said functional elements for positioning and mounting objects

ABSTRACT

The aim of the invention is to provide positioning and mounting options with improved handling characteristics even at places that are difficult to access or in other difficult conditions. Said aim is achieved by using functional elements comprising at least one area that can be foamed by supply energy. At least one of said areas is used as a positioning element for positioning an object or for stiffening flexible or easily bendable materials in a shape-stabilizing manner.

In many technical fields it is necessary to bring very differentobjects, such as for instance optical and electrical conductors, intocertain positions in a simple manner, and in some cases to assemble themconforming to a shape or in some other manner in locations that aredifficult to access or under other difficult conditions.

There is such a requirement for instance with flexible film conductors,which are increasingly displacing traditional printed circuit boards andcopper conductors. Film conductors are distinguished by their low weightand volume, their flexibility, and by their mechanical and thermal loadcapacity, and they can contain a plurality of printed conductors thatare separated from one another and that run parallel in one direction ina flat tape structure for connecting electrical points of contact.

Since the cable trees primarily used in vehicles in the past lead toever increasing space and weight issues due to a constantly increasingnumber of electrical consumers, a transition to film conductortechnology is underway in this regard as well in terms of powertransfer. It has already been recognized that this can achieve up to a40% reduction in weight, and up to a 70% reduction in space required aswell as in the number of connecting elements is even possible.

In vehicles, known is including film conductors that are to be disposedin the dashboard in the injection molding process and subsequentlyinjected them with a suitable foam or embedding them in such a foam.However, if the film conductors are laid from the front area of thevehicle to the rear area of the vehicle, which generally must be donevia the roof or floor region, there are difficulties in handling andassembly due to the easily bendable material structure of the conductorfilms. The result is increased time expended.

Nor are these difficulties avoided when the printed circuit boards areapplied to one side of a flexible film in accordance with DE 199 39 014A1 and the other side of the film is connected to the surface of acomponent already present in the vehicle.

In addition, in signal and data transmission, conventional copper linesare increasingly being replaced by alternatives. The employment ofplastic beam waveguides has a positive effect for instance on increasingEMC security, for which reason this optical transmission technology isfinding increasingly broad areas of application.

In addition to assembly tasks, there are positioning tasks, such as forinstance with polymer optical fibers when they are provided fortransmitting light, in that for assuring the transmission function it isnecessary to orient the fibers relative to other optical components.

The object of the invention is to create positioning and assemblyoptions with improved handling properties, even in locations that aredifficult to access or under other difficult conditions.

This object is achieved using functional elements with at least one areathat can be foamed by adding energy in that at least one of the areas isused as an adjusting element for positioning an object or for stiffeningan element.

The adjusting elements are produced using a location-selective andtime-controlled addition of energy, in particular radiant energy, to atleast one of the foamable areas, whereby an adjacent object is displaceddue to a change in volume.

The stability-enhancing properties of areas that are foamed by means ofthe addition of energy and subsequently are hardened are utilized forshape-stabilizing stiffening of flexible and/or easily bendablematerials and in particular for assembly elements.

One inventive material for producing functional elements with at leastone foamable area comprises a thermoplastic matrix, foaming agentscontained therein, and radiation-absorbing intercalates that areconcentrated in one area, in which radiation absorption of NIR radiationfor foaming is distributed uniformly across the entire thickness of thematerial.

The concentrations of the radiation-absorbing intercalates areadvantageously 0.005 mass % to 0.1 mass % and the material thicknessesare 0.5 mm to 5 mm.

What is achieved due to the very low concentration ofradiation-absorbing intercalates is that not only does absorption of theradiant energy occur in one near-surface layer of the thermoplasticmatrix, but penetrates deep enough that the entire thickness of theplastic matrix is included.

The radiation-absorbing intercalates have two effects. First, theplastic matrix is heated. Above the glass transition temperature in thecase of amorphous plastics, or above the crystallite melting point inthe case of semi-crystalline plastics, for instance, the strength andviscosity of these materials drop sharply; they convert to athermoplastic deformable state. In this state the materials are easilydeformable by external or internal forces. For instance, plastics inthis state can be foamed by gases that are released in their interior.

The second effect is the heating of the foaming agent beyond a specifictemperature for each of these agents. Above this temperature theseagents deteriorate very rapidly, releasing gases. These gases beingreleased then generate the forces that lead to foam formation in theheated thermoplastic deformable plastic matrix and to its expansion.

Similar dyes or pigments or a mixture of different dyes or pigments or amixture of dyes and pigments that have been matched in terms of theirabsorption behavior to the wavelength range of the radiation to be usedfor foaming are suitable for the radiation-absorbing intercalates forconverting radiant energy that is introduced in a location-selectivemanner. What is important is that in the pre-determined volume elementof the area to be foamed there is the most uniform possible absorptionof the radiant energy in order to assure uniform conversion to heat,which is itself a requirement for homogenous formation of foam. Inaddition, the radiant energy should be almost completely converted toheat.

Advantageously, the radiation-absorbing intercalates come from the rangeof inorganic blue, brown, or black pigments. Examples of this areultramarine blue (Na₈[Al₆Si₆O₂₄])S_(2-4r), iron oxide brown (Fe₂O₃),iron oxide black (Fe₃O₄), indium tin oxide, graphite, or carbon black.Phtalocyanine pigments, for instance, are suitable as organic pigmentsfor this. Dyes that can be used come from derivatives of perylenecarboxylic acid or even soluble phtalocyanines. In addition, conjugatedpolymers that have high absorption in the NIR range can be employed intheir oxidized or reduced form. Among these are e.g. polyaniline or poly(3,4 ethylene dioxythiophene).

The thermoplastic matrix material can comprise thermoplastics thatpermit uniform distribution of the components contained therein, such ase.g. ABS, PC, PMMA, and bulk plastics such as LD-PE, HD-PE, PP, PS, andEVA (use of abbreviations in accordance with ISO 1043-1).

In the invention, preferred foaming agents are chemical foaming agentsthat are very stable under ambient conditions and that emit largequantities of gas very rapidly at elevated temperatures whiledeteriorating. The starting temperature for the release of gas that isrequired for foaming is matched to the properties of the matrixmaterial. In particular the deterioration temperature of the foamingagent is specified with regard to the softening temperature of thematrix material. That is, the foaming agent should not release themajority of gas until at a temperature that permits thermoplasticdeformation of the matrix material.

The foaming agent and the matrix material are combined using the normalprocedures for the plastics-processing industry.

Foaming agents to be used can come from the groups of hydrogencarbonates (NaHCO₃), ammonium salts (NH₄)HCO₃, (NH₄)₂CO₃, (NH₄)NH₂CO₂),urea derivatives, diazo compounds (azodicarbamide), semicarbazides (paratoluene sulfonyl semicarbazide), tetrazoles (5-phenyl tetrazole), orother heterocycles that have a high nitrogen content (N,N′-dinitrosopentamethylene tetramine).

Preferably 2 mass % to 20 mass % foaming agent is added to the plasticmatrix for producing materials that foam well.

Finally, additional additives, supplements, and modifiers can becontained in the material for producing the functional elements providedthese do not impede the described energy conversion and the foaming ofthe thermoplastic matrix material. Among these are for instanceadditional coloring agents that do not impede the absorption of thelaser radiation, antioxidants, UV stabilizers, heat stabilizers,antistatic agents, and softeners. Furthermore, additives that promotethe formation of the foam can also be contained, such as e.g. nucleatingagents and foam stabilizers.

Preferably lasers are employed for preparing the radiant energy for thefoaming, since these in particular assure location-selectiveintroduction of the radiant energy into a pre-determined volume element.Particularly preferred are diode lasers, since they are particularlysuitable due to their beam profile for introducing the light energyuniformly across the entire cross-section of the volume element to befoamed. The diode lasers provided for use emit primarily in thenear-infrared (NIR) wavelength range of approx. 0.8 μm-2.5 μm.

The object is also achieved by a method for positioning an object with apositioning device, comprising a carrier that contains foamable materialin at least one area with which the object to be positioned is inphysical contact and in which the positioning of the object bylocation-selective foaming of the material occurs through volumeexpansion.

Advantageously, the foaming occurs by means of radiant energy in thenear infrared that is introduced in a time-controlled location-selectivemanner, as can be provided by lasers, in particular diode lasers.

The subject of the invention is furthermore a positioning devicecomprising a carrier that contains foamable material in at least onearea that acts as adjusting means for an object to be positioned bylocation-selective and time-controlled foaming.

The positioning device can have a hollow cylinder for a carrier, theenclosed hollow space of which receives the object to be positioned, andthe sheath of which contains at least one adjusting means made offoamable material oriented toward the center of the hollow cylinder.

The object to be positioned can be placed on the foamable material.

Intersecting printed conductors, for instance, can be brought intocontact with one another in that the printed conductors, as object to bepositioned, are placed on two carriers that face one another withintersecting printed conductors so that location-selective foaming ofthe foamable material produces a contact in at least one of the pairs ofintersecting conductors.

In accordance with the invention, the object is furthermore achieved bya molded assembly element produced from a flexible tape material that isprovided with a shape-stabilizing stiffener made of a material thatfoams when energy is added and then hardens.

The existing handling and assembly problem is thus eliminated byconverting an otherwise flexible element into a molded and consolidatedstructure using a foamable and hardenable material. In the case of atape material, if the issue is a conductor structure with at least oneflexible printed conductor, using the invention obtains in a simplemanner a finished assembly component with the required curves and bendsthat can be handled with no problems in the assembly process, such asfor instance when attached in roof rails in an automobile. Electricallyconductive films provided for the printed conductors can be applied to acarrier material.

It is particularly advantageous that the tape material retains itsprevious flexible properties even after the foamable material has beenapplied and can be worked and processed in numerous ways as long as thefoaming and hardening processes are not performed. Thus, electricallyconductive films can always be molded, stamped, or structured likefilms, regardless of whether or not the foamable material has alreadybeen applied.

In addition to using the invention in flexible film conductors forconducting electrical current, in another advantageous embodiment moldedstructures of glass fiber conductors can also be produced fortransmitting light and/or information.

The aforesaid object is furthermore inventively achieved by a method forproducing a molded assembly component made of flexible tape material inwhich applied to the flexible tape material is a foamable material that,after the tape material is molded, can be foamed, for instance by meansof adding energy, which can be produced e.g. by laser radiation, andsubsequently is hardened to a stiffener that stabilizes the shape.

For shaping the tape material, a tool mold that conforms to the assemblylocation should be used in which the tape material can be advantageouslyreceived using suction.

The invention is described in greater detail in the following usingexamples and drawings.

FIG. 1 is a segment from a tool mold with a molded flexible printedconductor;

FIG. 2 is a moldable carrier material with applied printed conductors;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of a positioning device for e.g. polymeroptical fibers (POF);

FIG. 4 is a section A-A through the positioning device in accordancewith FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 illustrates two carriers with applied printed conductors;

FIG. 6 illustrates the arrangement of the two carriers in whichintersecting printed conductors oppose one another for producingcontacts by foaming selected areas;

FIG. 7 is the arrangement in accordance with FIG. 6 in which the twoprinted conductors contact one another;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged segment of the contacting printed conductors.

Inventive materials and pre-formed parts or semi-finished products thatare location-selectively foamed in a subsequent process can be producedusing various methods:

-   -   Sintering of initial powder substances in heated tools    -   Processing from a liquid phase (solution/suspension) by        spraying, brushing, rubbing, raking, or pressing    -   Compounding by extrusion

For the sintering process, which essentially occurs using the method ofhot stamping of plastic parts, the initial materials are used in powderform. It is advantageous to use grain size fractions that have similargrain sizes in order to prevent segregation/sedimentation among thedifferent grain sizes. Uniform distribution of the coloring agents,which should be used in very small quantities, can be assured e.g. byapplying powder or using powder color master batches. These powdermixtures are added to heatable tools that contain the contour of thedesired semi-finished product/pre-formed part as a cavity for molding.The powders are sintered together at an elevated temperature. Theincrease in temperature is a function of the matrix plastic employed.For amorphous plastics, temperatures employed are preferably between theglass transition temperature and a temperature that is 40 K above theglass transition temperature. For semi-crystalline plastics, sinteringtemperatures slightly below the crystallite melting point, in particulartemperatures of ±10 K of the Vicat B temperature (DIN ISO 306) arepreferred. Applying pressure preferably in the range of 50 bar to 300bar causes the material to flow into the mold while mixing. Placing thecavity under a vacuum can improve the mold-filling process and thedensity of the sintering body.

Processing out of the liquid phase (varnish production and processing)requires the production of a liquid that can be applied. This can beeither a solution or a suspension. The requirement for applicability isthat all of the components necessary for the foamable material, that is,the thermoplastic matrix material, the foaming agent, and theradiation-absorbing intercalates are contained. For producing asuspension, dispersion agents or emulsifiers for stabilization can alsobe contained.

The material components are dissolved in the appropriate portions in anorganic solvent or an organic solvent mixture or are suspended in asolvent/water mixture. The viscosity of the liquids and the evaporativeand wetting behaviors are adjusted such that the liquid can be appliedusing varnish processing technologies that are known per se.

After applying the liquid e.g. by brushing, spraying, raking, dipping,or pressing, and after physical drying, the applied layer of foamablematerial can be stored or further processed.

In the extrusion of components for continuous semi-finished products,the components are mixed with one another in the desired ratios andmelted, mixed/homogenized, and subsequently molded. Care should be takenthat the processing temperature and the materials to be used, that is,the matrix material and the foaming agent, are matched to one anothersuch that the matrix material can be melted and homogenized but thetemperature required for this does not lead to a situation in which thefoaming agent deteriorates while releasing gas.

EXAMPLE 1

20 kg EVA granulate are mixed with 1513 g azodicarbamide and 108 g of a2% carbon black master batch in a drum mixer station. The resultingmixture contains the individual components in portions of 92.99%, 7%,and 0.01% (relative to the carbon black portion).

The mixture is melted and homogenized in an extruder using theprocessing parameters provided by the plastics manufacturer for theplastic granulate. The material is molded into a 2-mm thick plate usinga flat sheet die.

This plate is subjected to defined laser radiation. A fiber-coupleddiode laser with a wavelength of 808 nm and a maximum output of 30 W isused for this. The laser radiation is focussed on the contour to befoamed using an optical head. The laser is moved over the component at aconstant speed using a motion system (portal). The laser system in thiscase is equipped with a pyrometer that measures the temperature on thesurface of the material to be processed and regulates the laser outputcorresponding to a pre-specified temperature.

The material can be foamed along the motion contour at a temperature of180° C. and a motion speed of 10 mm/s.

EXAMPLE 2

20 kg LD-PE granulate are mixed with 1081 g azodicarbamide and 540 g ofa 2% graphite master batch in a drum mixer station. The resultingmixture contains the individual components in portions of 94.95%, 5%,and 0.05% (relative to the graphite portion).

The mixture is melted and homogenized in an extruder using theprocessing parameters provided by the plastics manufacturer for theplastic granulate. The material is molded into a 0.5-mm thick film usinga flat sheet die.

This film is subjected to defined laser radiation. A general unshieldeddiode laser with a wavelength of 940 nm and a maximum output of 25 W isused for this. The geometry of the general unshielded laser (beam of 20mm×1.5 mm) is duplicated as a foamed area on the film at a laserexposure time of 0.4 s and a laser output of 20 W.

EXAMPLE 3

85 g of a PP powder (sieve fraction 125 μm-250 μm) are intimately mixedwith 15 g pounded azodicarbamide and 0.1 g finely powdered ITO (indiumtin oxide). The resulting mixture contains the individual components inportions of 84.9%, 15%, and 0.1%. The mixture is then sintered into a2-mm thick plate in a compression mold at 150° C. and 200 bar.

When treating this plate with a general unshielded diode laser with awavelength of 940 nm (2 s, 20W), the contour of the general unshieldedlaser is duplicated on the plate as a foamed area.

EXAMPLE 4

10 g 5-phenyltetrazol are ground with 0.1 g vanadyl phthalocyanine in aball mill, taking care that the temperature does not rise above 80° C.90 g PMMA powder are added to and mixed with the powder thus obtained.The resulting mixture contains the individual components in portions of89.9%, 10%, and 0.1%. The mixture is then sintered into a 2-mm thickplate in a compression mold at 130° C. and 200 bar.

A foamed structure can be produced on the component when this plate istreated with a laser-coupled 808-nm diode laser system (focus diameter0.8 mm, 40 W, 5 mm/s).

EXAMPLE 5

90 g PC, 10 g N,N′-dinitroso pentamethylene tetramine, and 0.005 gUvinol (BASF product name) are dissolved in a solvent mixture comprising100 mL 2-propoxyethanol and 900 mL 1.3 dioxolane while heating slightly(T<40° C.) and stirring constantly. The solids portion of the solutioncontains the individual components in portions of 89.995%, 10%, and0.005%.

The varnish is applied to a substrate made of polymide film by raking ina wet film thickness of 200 μm. Laser treatment takes place after thevarnish has dried. A fiber-coupled diode laser with a wavelength of 808nm is used. Location-selective foaming occurs at a processing speed of 5mm/s and an output of 30 W.

The products, which are pre-formed parts or semi-finished products, canbe embodied, processed, and employed as functional elements in variousways due to the foamable areas.

In the segment of the tool mold illustrated in FIG. 1, a flexibleprinted conductor 1 lies on a bearing surface 2 that corresponds to theinstallation path for the printed conductor 1. In the presentembodiment, the printed conductor 1 comprises a stamped aluminum orcopper film conductor in which thin strips 3 are separated from oneanother by spacers 4. The shape of the printed conductor 1, which iscreated by the bearing surface, is preferably achieved using asuctioning process, for which purpose suitable suction sites (notvisible in the figure) are provided in the bearing surface 2.

Another embodiment can provide for bringing the printed conductor 1 intothe intended shape by pressing it onto the bearing surface 2.

Regardless of how the bearing surface that is used for molding theprinted conductor 1 is produced in the tool mold, the aluminum or copperfilm conductors used are provided on one side with a foamable material,e.g. by surface brushing, compression, or spraying, that can be foamedby adding energy, preferably by using laser radiation, so that once thismaterial has hardened a rigid structure that conforms to the profile ofthe tool mold results from the original flexible printed conductor 1.

In accordance with FIG. 2, the film conductors 5 can be applied to athin carrier 6 which of course must be flexible enough that it can becaused to conform to the contour of the tool mold using suction orpressing.

The inventively molded structure is not limited solely to electricalfilm conductors. Glass fiber conductors or other flexible (easilybendable) tape material can be embodied as a molded structure, such as afinished assembly component, in a suitably designed tool mold.

The positioning device illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrates anotherapplication for functional elements with foamable areas.

A carrier embodied as a hollow cylinder 7 contains in its sheath aplurality of adjusting means, in the present exemplary embodiment threeadjusting means 8, 9, 10, that are oriented toward the center of thehollow cylinder 7 and that are made of foamable material. The enclosedhollow space 11 receives an object to be positioned such as e.g. apolymer optical fiber 12. In addition to their use in communicationsengineering, where they are used in local networks for data exchangesimilar to glass fibers, polymer optical fibers are also employed inlighting systems, in particular for illuminating hazardous locations orfor decentral illumination, such as e.g. in an automobile.

This entails the need to position the fibers that transmit the light inrelation to other optical components (e.g., light source, lenses,diffusors).

The positioning device in accordance with FIGS. 3 and 4 can be used forthis purpose in that the radiant energy of a laser is coupled into theadjusting means 8, 9, and 10. Depending on the desired position of thefiber 12, a required energy quantity acts upon one or more of theadjusting means 8, 9, and 10. Foaming is caused depending on the energyquantity employed, which results in a corresponding increase in volumeof the adjusting means 8, 9, and 10 and radial displacement of the fiber12 in the desired direction.

The laser radiation used for the foaming does not result in any negativeimpact on the polymer optical fiber 12, since fibers provided for lighttransmission do not absorb in the near infrared used.

Of course the application of the positioning device is not limitedexclusively to positioning of optical fibers. The positioning device canbe adapted appropriately to other objects to be positioned, as well.What is essential is the creation of adjusting elements by irradiationof foamable areas for different lengths of time, and that the change involume of the adjusting elements can cause the displacement of anadjacent object.

The position of objects is also changed in another application of thefunctional elements provided with foamable areas. In this case thisconcerns printed conductors 13 and 14 that are applied to foamablematerial of the carriers 15 and 16, in accordance with FIGS. 5 through8.

The carriers 15 and 16 can in particular be films or thin plates thatare made of laser-foamable materials and that are provided with printedconductors. Known technologies can be used for applying the printedconductors, as long as required heat treatment does not lead toinitiation of the foaming process.

Suitable are e.g. hot stamping, such as is also used in 3-D MIDprocesses (3-D MID—3 dimensional molded interconnected devices). Inaddition, laminating and structuring of copper films analogous toprinted circuit board engineering is also possible.

Corresponding to FIG. 6, the two carriers 15 and 16 are positioned withthe printed conductors 13 and 14 facing and intersecting one another andspaced from one another at a distance that is less than the thickness bywhich the two carriers 15 and 16 can be foamed in the direction of oneanother using a laser treatment.

A contact is then produced in a pair of intersecting conductors bylocation-selective foaming of the two carriers 15 and 16 with a suitablelaser (FIGS. 7 and 8) in that the gap 17 is closed by the materialexpansion that is caused.

1. A material for producing functional elements having at least onefoamable area, said material comprising: a thermoplastic matrix; foamingagents, said foaming agents being contained within said matrix;radiation-absorbing intercalates, said intercalates being concentratedin an area of said material; and said material having a thickness, saidmaterial being adapted for absorbing NIR radiation so that said foamablearea foams, said foam being distributed uniformly across said entirethickness of said material.
 2. The material of claim 1, wherein saidradiation-absorbing intercalates are inorganic blue, brown, or blackpigments.
 3. The material of claim 2, wherein said radiation-absorbingintercalates are ultramarine blue (Na₈[Al₆Si₆O₂₄])S₂₋₄, iron oxide brown(Fe₂O₃), iron oxide black (Fe₃O₄), indium tin oxide, graphite, or carbonblack.
 4. The material of claim 1, wherein said radiation-absorbingintercalates comprise organic pigments.
 5. The material of claim 4,wherein said organic pigments comprise phtalocyanine pigments.
 6. Thematerial of claim 1, wherein said radiation-absorbing intercalatescomprise dyes.
 7. The material of claim 6, wherein said dye derivativescomprise perylene carboxylic acids.
 8. The material of claim 6, whereinsaid dyes comprise soluble phtalocyanines.
 9. The material of claim 1,wherein said radiation-absorbing intercalates comprise conjugatedpolymers having high absorption in the NIR range, said polymers being inan oxidized or a reduced form.
 10. The material of claim 9, wherein saidconjugated polymers comprise polyaniline or poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene).
 11. The material of claim 10, wherein said material hasa thicknesses of 0.5 mm to 5 mm.
 12. The material of claim 11, whereinsaid radiation-absorbing intercalates have a mass % of 0.005 mass % to0.1 mass %.
 13. The material of claim 12, wherein said foaming agents insaid thermoplastic plastic matrix have a mass % of 2 mass % to 20 mass%.
 14. The material of claim 13, further comprising at least one ofadditional additives, supplements and modifiers.
 15. A sinter material,said material being formed by plastic hot stamping, said sinter materialcomprising the material of claim
 1. 16. A liquid or varnish, said liquidor varnish comprising a solution or suspension, said liquid or varnishcomprising the material of claim
 1. 17. A method of displacing an objectcomprising: obtaining functional elements, said elements having at leastone foamable area for positioning said object; and applying energy to atleast one of said foamable areas, said energy application beinglocation-selective and time-controlled, so that a volume of said foamchanges and the object is displaced.
 18. The method of claim 17, whereinsaid elements comprise at least one foamable area, said area beingadapted for stiffening a flexible or bendable material.
 19. The methodof claim 18 further comprising: applying energy to an area of saidelements so that said area foams and then hardens so that said foamableelements form a shape-stabilizing stiffener.
 20. The method of any oneof claims 17 through 19, wherein the energy is laser radiation, theradiation being near infrared.
 21. A method for positioning an objectwith a positioning device, said positioning device comprising a carrier,said carrier containing foamable material in at least one area, saidmethod comprising: contacting said object to be positioned with saidpositioning device; and expanding said foamable material, said expandingbeing location-selective, so that said object is positioned.
 22. Themethod of claim 21, further comprising introducing radiant energy tosaid material, said radiant energy being introduced in a time-controlledlocation-selective manner, so that said foamable material foams.
 23. Themethod of claim 22, further comprising applying lasers for introducingsaid radiant energy.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein said laserscomprise diode lasers, said lasers irradiating a wavelength, saidwavelength being NIR.
 25. A positioning device comprising a carrier,said carrier containing, in at least one area, a foamable material, saidfoamable material being adapted for adjusting the position of an object,said foamable material being adapted for location-selectivetime-controlled foaming.
 26. The positioning device of claim 25, whereinsaid carrier is a hollow cylinder having an enclosed hollow space, saidenclosed hollow space being adapted for receiving the object, saidcylinder containing at least one adjusting means, said adjusting meanscomprising foamable material, said adjusting means being oriented towardthe center of said hollow cylinder.
 27. The positioning device of claim25, wherein said object is placed against said foamable material. 28.The positioning device of claim 27, comprising two carriers, said twocarriers having printed conductors, said conductors defining saidobject, said carriers facing one another so that said printed conductorsintersect, wherein said location-selective foaming of said foamablematerial produces a contact between the intersecting conductors.
 29. Amolded assembly element, said element being formed by: obtaining aflexible tape material, said material having a shape-stabilizingstiffener, said stiffener comprising a material, said material beingadapted for receiving energy so that said material foams and thenhardens; and irradiating said flexible tape material.
 30. The moldedassembly element of claim 29, wherein said tape material includes aconductor structure, said structure having at least one flexible printedconductor.
 31. The molded assembly element of claim 30, wherein saidflexible printed conductor comprises an electrically conductive film.32. A molded assembly element of claim 30, wherein said flexible printedconductor is a glass fiber conductor for transmitting at least one oflight and information.
 33. A method for producing a molded assemblyelement, said element comprising flexible tape material, said methodcomprising: applying a foamable material to said flexible tape material;molding said tape material; and, adding energy to said foamable materialso that said foamable material foams and then hardens to ashape-stabilizing stiffener.
 34. The method of claim 33, furthercomprising obtaining a tool mold and molding said tape material.
 35. Themethod of claim 34, further comprising applying laser radiation foradding energy.
 36. The method of claim 35, further comprising applyingsuction so that said tool mold receives said tape material.
 37. Themethod of claim 36, wherein said tape material includes a conductorstructure with at least one flexible printed conductor.
 38. The methodof claim 36, wherein said flexible printed conductor is an electricallyconductive film conductor.
 39. The method of claim 36, wherein saidflexible printed conductor is a glass fiber conductor adapted fortransmitting one or more of light and information.